The Cobourg Police Service Board is responding to recent public comments by Mayor Lucas Cleveland regarding community safety and criminal activity. In a statement released by Board Chair Adam Bureau, the Board reiterated its commitment to evidence-based policing and cautioned against messaging that may increase division or misunderstanding.
Here is the complete unedited statement from Chair Adam Bureau of the Cobourg Police Service Board:
Statement from the Chair of the Cobourg Police Service Board, Adam Bureau
The Cobourg Police Service Board is aware of a recent public statement made by Mayor Cleveland concerning community safety and criminal activity. While we recognize and share the concern for the well-being of our town, police response must remain grounded in law, guided by evidence, and consistent with the values of dignity, fairness, and accountability.
Public safety is a shared responsibility. The intersection of homelessness, addictions, mental health support and criminality is a complex issue requiring prudent and careful response. The Cobourg Police will continue to fairly enforce laws, collaborate with partners and lead on our principal responsibilities of law enforcement. Messaging that risks deepening division and misunderstanding undermines the very principles of community-based policing.
The Community Safety and Policing Act outlines the responsibilities and limits of policing in Ontario. Section 1 of the Act highlights several key principles that govern our approach to community safety, including:
Ensuring the safety and security of all persons and property,
Safeguarding the rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Ontario Human Rights Code,
Fostering cooperation between police and the communities they serve,
Respecting the needs of victims of crime, and
Being sensitive to the diversity of Ontario’s society.
These principles guide both the operations of the Cobourg Police Service, the oversight provided by the Cobourg Police Service Board, the Solicitor General of Ontario and the newly formed Inspectorate of Policing in Ontario.
With respect to Bill 6: The Safer Ontario Act, while it has received Royal Assent, its regulations have not yet been finalized. As a result, no new enforceable measures from the Act are currently in place. Like other police services across the province, the Cobourg Police awaits formal regulatory guidance from the Ministry of the Solicitor General before any changes to enforcement or operations are implemented. The Cobourg Police Service had already shifted to federal authorities for proceeding with charges related to simple possession of controlled substances.
It is also important to clarify the roles and limits of authority under the Community Safety and Policing Act. The Chief of Police is solely responsible for operational decisions and cannot be directed by the Mayor. Even the Board has limited authority to direct the Chief and must do so only under specific conditions and always within the legal framework as outlined in Section 40 of the CSPA.
Despite these limits, the Cobourg Police Service has consistently demonstrated initiative in responding to local needs. The creation of programs such as HARP, Dynamic Patrol, the Community Bed Program, the Bail Compliance Project, M-HEART, Enhanced Joint Drug Enforcement Initiatives, and most recently, Safer Streets Cobourg shows a clear commitment to addressing evolving concerns through balanced and compassionate policing. These initiatives have been in place at the community’s request for the last few years. Each of these programs are dynamic in nature to ensure they are addressing demanding and ever-changing challenges.
The Board and the Service fully recognize the ongoing and complex challenges Cobourg is facing—and those that lie ahead. The Board and the Service remain committed to listening to concerns, analyzing trends, and making adjustments as needed, always grounded in facts, evidence, and respect for all members of our community.
We encourage residents, business owners, and elected officials alike to reject divisive or inflammatory rhetoric. Let us instead come together around a shared goal: a safe, inclusive Cobourg where dignity, civility, and the rule of law guide our actions and our partnerships.
(Written by Joseph Goden)
